. >> reporter: an election only 35 days away but still far from over. and the first debate is on the domestic issues that are defining this election. lynn? >>> brian moore in washington. brian, thanks. >>> well, elsewhere, the candidates for the u.s. senate seat in massachusetts, scott brown and elizabeth warren, debated for the second time last night. the two were combative as they staked out opposite positions on issues ranging from creating jobs to bringing troops home from afghanistan. with nbc's david gregory of "meet the press" as moderator, they also clashed over brown's claim of partisan independence. >> if he's re-elected, that increases the odds that the republicans will control the senate and that he can block president obama's agenda. >> if you're going to comment on my record, i would at least have you refer to it -- >> can we just -- >> excuse me. excuse me. we're not -- >> go ahead, senator. >> excuse me. i'm not a student in your classroom. please let me respond, okay? thank you. >> well, recent polls before the debate showed elizabeth w